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I always find training difficult the week after a competition. Because I take almost a full week off in the lead up to the comp itself, I am itching to get back to the gym. But once you add in a few days of post-comp recovery, two weeks can easily pass before you’ve stepped foot in the gym – which is a rude awakening from the life of socialising, hours of snuggling up on the couch and being generally lazy that I had come to enjoy.

My lower back felt pretty stiff on Sunday, but the rest of my body was fine… until Monday when my shoulders, traps and hamstrings decided to join the DOMS party. I’m a complete idiot and moved house (alone, with a lot of stuff!) the day after my comp, so I don’t know what caused more muscle soreness! I had originally planned to head back to the gym on Tuesday but I was still quite sore so left it one more day. My first two workouts were relatively light and just designed to get me moving.

My glute was feeling a little funny, so I just left the legs portion of my workout at squats. I still got DOMS anyway! I took Friday and Saturday off from lifting, but dance class on Saturday ruined me. I am aching all over and the only explanation is dancing. I am going to another class tonight as we are filming a promo video outside Buckingham Palace this weekend, so I need to practice!

I was super bloated and couldn’t grip the bar properly as I have cut my index finger, so was not expecting to hit a PR at all. At my next comp, I can either press a thick 50kg log for three points or press a 40kg axle for two points. It seems like a no-brainer as I would be lucky to get one rep with the log but I can hopefully get about 10 on the axle. I have never actually attempted a max rep axle press, though, so shouldn’t get ahead of myself!

I still felt bloated afterwards so didn’t get my usual breakfast of eggs rancheros. I had smoked salmon with eggs, which I think made me hungrier as I then demolished a bag of mini eggs and a frappuccino.

It was a long weekend here in the UK hence why I didn’t post yesterday. I was excited to finally visit the Bleecker St Burger Truck (a famous NY-style burger truck which parks up on the Southbank for a few months every year and apparently serves the best street burger in the country) but it has moved on as of last weekend! We went to Meat Liquor instead, which many critics claim serve up London’s best burgers.

I ordered the bacon cheeseburger, which was pretty damn good (the pickles might have been the highlight!), while my dining partner got the double swiss burger. We were both still hungry so he ordered a second burger while I ordered dessert. The dessert was epic – chocolate and peanut butter ice cream topped with caramelised marshmallows and a Reece’s peanut butter cup!

I am still toying with the idea of cutting weight to compete in the natural strongwoman competition in August. Despite the fact that in the past week I have gone out for three lots of burgers and fries, ribs and multiple desserts, I somehow still managed to lose a kilo! I will see where I’m at by the time of my next comp and decide then.

I was still hungry after ribs too – something is definitely wrong with me!

Speaking of my next comp, it is exactly one month away and I am panicking as I still haven’t practiced any of the events. I’m hoping to book a session with my trainer this week to knock out some atlas stone practice, Husafel carries and keg tossing.

Have you ever lost weight when you least expected it? What is the best burger you’ve ever had?

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25 Responses

Sam @ Better With Sprinkles / 5-6-2014 / ·

That dessert sounds right up my (peanut butter and chocolate-loving) alley! I think the last burger I remember having was pretty epic – elk burger with chipotle ketchup, caramelized onions, havarti and bacon. Yup, bacon and cheese on a burger makes all the difference…

Tara / 5-9-2014 / ·

OMG that sounds amazing. I always pick the burger on the menu which has bacon.

Megan @ Meg Go Run / 5-6-2014 / ·

There are so many similarities to running… you take rest days before the race, do the race, and then need to rest AFTER but you are just dying to run! I don’t normally crave burgers, but after my last marathon, I had the most divine CRISPY chicken sandwich that had bacon and cheese on it. Oh my word it was soooooo good. It would have tasted good as a burger too. 🙂

Losing weight while injured and unable to train legs, plus eating almost 2000 calories and 300g carbs a day has been a surprise… Granted, I am doing 5+ hours of swimming and pool running a week and upper lifting, but I am still surprised!

Tara / 5-9-2014 / ·

That’s awesome. Thank goodness for healthy metabolisms!

Jan @ Sprouts n Squats / 5-7-2014 / ·

Best burger I’ve had hands down was in Hawaii at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers – you would love this place the burger sizes are big, bigger and biggest and they have onion rings and cheesy fries! OMG if you want to gain weight, make the trip over and go there 😉

I don’t usually ever lose weight when I least expect it because usually if I don’t pay attention I tend to eat A LOT more naughty things and tend to put on weight rather than lose. I wish 😉

P.S. I thought of you today in the gym as a PT was actually giving someone farmers walks to do and I was like wow I thought I’d never see that in my gym where a lot of the trainers have no clue.

Tara / 5-9-2014 / ·

I have been to Hawaii but I’m kicking myself that I didn’t go there. It was back before I was really into burgers anyway, so I probably wouldn’t have appreciated it!

That’s awesome about the PT – I’m glad more are catching on to these kind of exercises 🙂

Jan @ Sprouts n Squats / 5-12-2014 / ·

You will have to go back just for the burgers! 😉 Plus Tony Roma’s ribs if you haven’t had those either they are must do!

Domi @ Eat, Pray, Lift / 5-7-2014 / ·

Lift big, eat big…look sexy as hell. Love it!

Tara / 5-9-2014 / ·

Aww, thanks Domi 🙂

Kyle Schuant / 5-7-2014 / ·

Cutting is for emos.

Tara / 5-9-2014 / ·

Ha, point taken.

Khushboo Thadani (@KhushbooThadani) / 5-7-2014 / ·

Nothing that a burger can’t fix! Oh em gee at that dessert…you know I’m a sucker for all things peanut butter! I’ve actually never tried Meat Liquor as I’ve heard mixed reviews- I’m sold after looking at the PB explosion :)!

Tara / 5-9-2014 / ·

I definitely would say it’s worth a visit – I certainly plan on going back, just ordering two burgers next time 😉

Arman @ thebigmansworld / 5-8-2014 / ·

Omg. Dude, please come back to Sydney so I can take advantage of you. And by take advantage I mean take advantage of that enviable appetite and enter you into the 1kg burrito challenge!

I’m on a massive burger kick right now too, and had the most amazing beef burger with blue cheese crumbles. So good!

I’m about to enter a full on rest week now and although I’m pumped for it now, i know 2 days later I’ll be itching to go!

Tara / 5-9-2014 / ·

I’m actually dying to do a food challenge thing because I know I have an abnormally large appetite. Any chance to win a prize or free food 😉 I love blue cheese on a burger!

Aqilah Norazman / 5-9-2014 / ·

Best burger? Micky’s Cafe in Paddington, Sydney. And I wish I can lose weight when I least expect it.

Tara / 5-9-2014 / ·

Why did I never go there when I lived in Sydney?!

Josh Hockett (@NAVYFITCVN76) / 5-9-2014 / ·

Your food shots always look so dang good! Nice to be back in the gym again I bet hey? Nice work on the numbers after just getting back at it! Rebound effects apparent for you at all?

I was on bed rest after going into preterm labor and I ate more since I was bored and ended up loosing 2 lbs in one week while my baby gained almost a pound! Sadly I think I might have just lost muscle since before I was a walking maniac and walking so much was what sent me into preterm labor.

Anyway, burgers have been my obsession during this pregnancy and I just love a good grass-fed burger. I usually make them at home and put them on top of a salad. I was inspired after eating a salad + burger combo that had fuji apple, cheese, and arugula so I’ve been making that combination at home at least once a week. I also love a fried egg on top of a burger.

Tara / 5-15-2014 / ·

If I am ever pregnant, god help me as I’m sure my burger consumption will be out of control! I love eggs on my burgers too, but have never tried apple so I will have to give that a go 🙂